Illinois special election 2013: Robin Kelly wins Democratic primary

Liberal groups hailed the result as a defeat for the NRA. Democracy for America called it “a withering blow to the NRA and others who think we shouldn’t do anything to prevent the gun violence that took the lives of 20 children in Connecticut in December and ravages the streets of cities like Chicago every single day.”

The liberal CREDO SuperPAC trumpeted, “Debbie Halvorson didn’t just lose. She was crushed at the polls by voters who want the NRA to get out of the way while Congress addresses gun violence.”

Text Size

-

+

reset

How much of a referendum on gun control the election was is debatable, though. The NRA endorsed Halvorson but did little advertising on her behalf. During the final week of the race, the group sent out a batch of mailers on her behalf.

It was also a victory for Chicago’s black political establishment, which threw its weight behind Kelly. There had been widespread concern in Chicago’s African-American community that Halvorson, the only white candidate in the race, would emerge with a small plurality of the vote.

But in recent weeks, Kelly united the support of the black community, winning endorsements from Reps. Bobby Rush and Danny Davis and state Sen. Toi Hutchinson, who had been a top contender in the contest until she withdrew earlier this month.

Kelly is expected to easily hold the seat in the April 9 special general election. The 2nd Congressional District heavily favors Democrats, and there is only minimal Republican opposition.

Jackson, who had been plagued by an ethics inquiry, vacated the seat in December. Earlier this month, Jackson and his wife pleaded guilty to federal charges that he used his campaign account to pay for private expenses. He is expected to be sentenced later this year.

Kelly focused her get-out-the vote efforts in Chicago’s South Suburbs, which she represented for four years in the state Legislature. Her advisers were hoping for high turnout in Thornton Township and Richton Park, where she resides.

Halvorson, meanwhile, banked on support from the more conservative rural areas of the district, Will and Kankakee counties. Halvorson received a late boost from the NRA, which sent out mailers to voters in those areas on her behalf.

CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story misstated the date of the general election.